Why is my Maltese puppy licking dark spots on his skin?

Thank you for submitting your additional pictures regarding Kion. He is adorable! I still believe that the pigment spots are normal for his breed. They appear flat, not red and I do not see any scabs present. I do not think they should be anything to worry about for him. I hope this information helps!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Based on their appearance, they look like freckles or birthmarks, which are normal and should not be causing him to be itchy. Oscar may be itchy for other reasons, such as allergies or a skin infection. If you are concerned that he may have an underlying skin disease, your veterinarian can perform a skin scrape and cytology to look for evidence of organisms that may be infecting the skin. I hope this is helpful!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the photos, the discoloration looks like it is caused by salivary enzymes from chronic licking. This can be due to an underlying skin infection or environmental/food allergies. Your vet can rule out these conditions with some skin samples and possibly a food trial. I hope this helps!

This is likely completely normal. Dogs can have patches of brown skin on their pink skin, and the skin won't turn pink again. You can't do anything for it to turn pink, and it's really nothing about which to worry. I hope this helps.

I can see what you've mentioned with darker skin pigmentation and a bit of hair loss around his ear. It's certainly possible that the pigment change is a normal variation, because skin pigment can change a bit over time. However, that doesn't explain his hair loss. I agree that the area pictured doesn't look consistent with significant inflammation, which is often associated with allergies or many infectious conditions. Instead, I'd tend to be more concerned about vasculitis or autoimmune issues. Ultimately, I think it would be best to take your puppy to his vet for an exam. Depending on their exam findings, your vet may need to examine some skin cells under a microscope or submit a biopsy sample of skin to a pathologist to get to the bottom of this issue. A bit of sneezing or very mild itching isn't uncommon this time of year, as springtime allergens can bother dogs just as much as people.

I'm not 100% sure what this spot is from just by looking at a photo. It could be just an injury but it could also be ringworm or skin mites (mange) or the start of a hot spot. I suggest you try this hot spot spray gel, 3-4 times per day. If after about a week or so you don't noticed much improvement or he starts to get spots in other areas then he needs to see a vet. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-hot-spot-antimicrobial-gel-for-dogs

This could be hyperpigmentation secondary to infection (bacterial or yeast), allergies (food, environmental, etc.) Or endocrine disorders. You can use an e-collar (cone) to prevent licking. Keep the area clean and dry. Your veterinarian may provide a definitive diagnosis after a physical exam. A fish oil supplement may be recommended to promote healthy skin and coat. https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/acanthosis-nigricans/